ceram.x SphereTEC™ one universal

ceram.x® SphereTEC™ - The Composite without Compromise

ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal is a nano-ceramic, light-cured, radiopaque, universal composite based on the novel SphereTEC filler technology indicated for both, direct and indirect restorations.
SphereTEC stands for a new filler technology containing granulated spherical fillers in combination with an optimised resin matrix system enabling exceptional handling comfort and aesthetics.

What is SphereTEC technology? SphereTEC stands for the process of manufacturing micro-scaled, well-defined spherical granulated superstructures, comprising of submicron glass. The SphereTEC fillers’ morphology, particle size distribution and surface microstructure are the key for the excellent handling comfort and polishing of the composite material. The SphereTEC filler technology results in:

High slump resistance and ideal sculptability: In addition to the spherical fillers, ceram.x SphereTEC also contains smaller filler particles which selectively stop the material flow when no external force is applied, resulting in high slump resistance and ideal sculptability.

Non-sticky formula: The micro-structured surface of the SphereTEC fillers bind more free resin than conventional fillers resulting in a material that does not stick to the hand instrument making the composite much easier to handle.

What makes ceram.x SphereTEC one universal different? SphereTEC – the first filler technology to produce spherical filler granulates leading to a ball-bearing effect and resulting in ideal handling properties:

ceram.x SphereTEC one universal easily adapts to cavity surfaces but does not stick to hand instruments

ceram.x SphereTEC one universal is easy to sculpt precisely and has a high slump resistance

The difference in handling comfort is readily noticeable when applying the new ceram.x SphereTEC one universal material into the cavity. The spherical fillers provide smooth application as well as a matchless adaptation to the cavity surfaces. Without pressure, the mixture of spheres and smaller primary fillers ensures a direct stop of the material resulting in a high slump resistance. The combination of excellent adaptation and high slump resistance facilitates straight forward, precise sculptability of ceram.x SphereTEC one universal.

As a further benefit, the micro-granulated structure of SphereTEC is able to bind more free resin compared to conventional fillers. Therefore ceram.x SphereTEC one universal does not stick to hand instruments.

ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal is a nano-ceramic, light-cured, radiopaque universal composite based on the novel SphereTEC™ filler technology indicated for both, direct and indirect restorations.

2.

Question:

What is SphereTEC™?

Answer:

SphereTEC™ stands for the process of manufacturing micro-scaled, well-defined spherical granulated superstructures, comprising of submicron glass. The SphereTEC™ fillers’ morphology, particle size distribution and surface microstructure are the key for the excellent handling comfort and polishing of the composite material!

3.

Question:

Is ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal still containing nano-ceramic technology?

Answer:

Like the predecessor, the new ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal still contains nano-ceramic particles.

4.

Question:

What is different in ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal compared to other composites due to SphereTECTM technology?

Answer:

SphereTEC™ – the first filler technology to produce spherical filler granulates leading to a ball-bearing effect and resulting in ideal handling properties:

ceram.x SphereTEC™ one universal easily adapts to cavity surfaces but does not stick to hand instruments.

ceram.x SphereTEC™ one universal is easy to sculpt precisely and has a high slump resistance.

The difference in handling comfort is readily noticeable when applying the new ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal material into the cavity: The spherical fillers provide smooth application as well as a matchless adaptation to the cavity surfaces. Without pressure, the mixture of spheres and smaller primary fillers ensures a direct stop of the material resulting in a high slump resistance. The combination of excellent adaptation and high slump resistance facilitates straight forward, precise sculptability of ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal.

As a further benefit, the micro-granulated structure of SphereTEC™ is able to bind more free resin compared to conventional fillers. Therefore ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal does not stick to hand instruments. Finally the spherical, granulated fillers consisting of submicron primary glass provide a fast and easy polishing procedure resulting in an outstanding gloss.

5.

Question:

What is the special feature of the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade system?

Answer:

The shade system of ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal was designed with the objective to be:

Suitable for routine restorations of both, anterior and posterior teeth

Easy to understand and to apply

Reliable regarding the aesthetic results

The special features of the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade system are:

That five shades of moderate translucency allow restorations of all teeth within the shade range of the 16 VITA® classical shade system (A1-D4).

Shades are named A1, A2, A3, A3.5 and A4 since this includes the most common tooth shades and each dentist knows exactly that these shades look like.

Shades are described as CLOUD shades because each of the five ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shades matches a number of VITA® shades, which form within the coordinates of the l*a*b* color system a 3D data cloud.

The recipe for the shade selection is given by the illustration above.

6.

Question:

Why can one CLOUD shade cover more than one VITA® shade?

Answer:

The shade of restorations made from ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal is influenced by the colour of the surrounding tooth structure. This phenomenon is called chameleon effect. The distinct chameleon effect of ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal makes it possible for each ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade to provide a shade match with several VITA® shades.

7.

Question:

How is the shade of a restoration determined?

Answer:

For shade selection, there are two tools and methods that may be used:

1) The ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide:
The ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide consists of tabs, which are manufactured from composite with optical properties close to those of ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal. The original ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide can be ordered FOC via the shade guide voucher included in the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal intro kit. Shade selection with the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide is done by using the shade tabs of the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide to select the CLOUD shade closest to the shade of the area to be restored.

2) The VITA® classical shade guide in combination with the i-shade label: The ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal i-shade label facilitates shade selection by assigning one of the five CLOUD shades to each of the 16 VITA® shades. It provides the ideal recipe for translation from the determined VITA® shade to the corresponding ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal CLOUD shade. This recipe was confirmed by leading dental shade experts. To make sure that the i-shade label is available chairside, we recommend sticking it on the rear side of the VITA® classical shade guide. Shade selection is done by selecting the VITA® classical reference tooth the central part of which best matches the area of the tooth to be restored. Using the i-shade label, the matching ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal CLOUD shade is then identified.

8.

Question:

How can I deal with class III or class IV restorations, where two translucencies are required?

Answer:

Especially for large through-and-through cavities or for restorations of anterior teeth involving the incisal edge the use of a two-translucencies shade system like ceram.x one DENTIN & ENAMEL will provide a better aesthetic result than as the single-translucency system of ceram.x®. Dentists should be advised ordering the Starter kit ceram.x one DENTIN & ENAMEL or having at least one enamel (e.g. E1) as well as a light and dark dentin (e.g. D2 and D3) on stock for such cases.

9.

Question:

Can I combine ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shades with ceram.x one DENTIN & ENAMEL shades?

Answer:

Yes, we know from experienced users that a two-translucencies technique by applying an enamel layer on top of a ceram.x® shade may be beneficial in certain situations. Also the use of a ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one shade as a sandwich between ceram.x one DENTIN & ENAMEL does reduce the negative effect of a too thin enamel layer.

10.

Question:

I am sometimes not satisfied with the shade match of my ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal restorations in teeth of a non A shade. What is the problem?

Answer:

This may be caused by a suboptimal shade selection technique. For an optimal result the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide is used, which consists of tabs manufactured from composite with optical properties close to those of ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal. The original ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide can be ordered FOC via the shade guide voucher included in the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal intro kit. Shade selection with the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide is done by using the shade tabs of the ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal shade guide to select the CLOUD shade closest to the shade of the area to be restored. When using the VITA® classical shade guide in combination with the i-shade label, select the VITA® classical reference tooth, the central part of which best matches the area of the tooth to be restored.

11.

Question:

I am sometimes not satisfied with the shade match of my ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal restorations in light teeth: The restorations appear sometimes too dark/and or too yellow. What is the problem?

Answer:

This may be caused by traces of the camphorquinone catalyst which are not converted due to insufficient curing:
1. Check compatibility of curing light
2. Check curing cycle/time
3. Check minimum irradiance
4. Cure each area of each increment for the recommended curing time!

12.

Question:

Which bonding agent is recommended for use with ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal?

Answer:

ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal is fully compatible with self-etch (e.g. Prime&bond® one SELECT) as well as with etch&rinse systems (e.g. Prime & Bond® one ETCH & RINSE, spectrum® Bond).

13.

Question:

Can ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal be used as a capping after an SDR® bulk fill placement?

Answer:

ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal can be considered as an ideal capping material after bulk fill application of SDR® because of its exceptional sculptability and slump resistance.

14.

Question:

Why is ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal packed in an aluminium layered pouch?

Answer:

ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal should be stored at room temperature and a humidity of 50%. To ensure ideal paste consistency for the global market, ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal is packed moisture protected during transportation and storage in the warehouse. After opening of the pouch, the material can last up to 3 months.

15.

Question:

What is the mass that can be extruded from a syringe?

Answer:

Syringes provide 3 g material.

16.

Question:

What is the working time of ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal?

Answer:

ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal offers a working time of 130sec.

17.

Question:

What is the recommended storage temperature for ceram.x® SphereTEC™ one universal?

Answer:

The recommended storage temperature is between 2 °C and 28 °C (36 °F and 82 °F).